The Forest Department recovered 42 deer traps and detained two fishermen during separate operations in the Sundarbans under the Satkhira range. On Tuesday, April 21, patrol members from the Munshiganj outpost conducted a raid in the Belayet’s Bharani and Cherar Khal areas, where they found 42 'mala traps' set to capture deer. Acting on secret information, the team discovered the traps strategically placed to ensnare roaming deer.

A day earlier, on Monday, April 20, a smart patrol team carried out another operation in the Dingi Mari sanctuary area under the Kadamtala Forest Station. Two fishermen were arrested for illegally entering the sanctuary to catch fish and crabs. Authorities seized a boat, about 30 kilograms of crabs, and various fishing tools. The detainees were later sent to court under forest law.

Assistant Conservator of Forests Md. Moshior Rahman stated that operations to prevent illegal hunting and resource extraction in the Sundarbans will continue. Local residents alleged that an organized poaching group remains active, sometimes operating with the support of influential individuals, and urged strict legal action against them.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) will hold joint meetings on Wednesday and Thursday, April 22 and 23, to ensure uninterrupted telecommunication services and network management amid the ongoing energy crisis. The meetings are being organized in response to concerns raised by stakeholders in the telecom sector.

Earlier, on March 12, BTRC sent a letter to the Posts and Telecommunications Division requesting priority allocation of fuel and electricity. Following that, on March 13, the division forwarded letters to the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, the Power Division, and all district commissioners seeking necessary action. On April 20, BTRC again wrote to the Posts and Telecommunications Division requesting law enforcement support for fuel transport and tower site maintenance.

The April 22 meeting will include Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation, mobile operators, NTTN operators, tower companies, and the Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh. The April 23 meeting will involve the Power Development Board, Rural Electrification Board, PGCB, power distribution companies, and telecom operators. The meetings aim to adopt measures to resolve energy-related challenges affecting telecom operations.

The Department of Environment has fined three illegal brick kilns in Gopalganj a total of nine lakh taka and halted their production activities. The mobile court operation was conducted on Tuesday in Sadar upazila under the initiative of the Gopalganj district office of the Department of Environment. The fined brick kilns are Sheikh Bricks, Molla Bricks, and Gazi Bricks. Executive Magistrate Md. Sajjad Zahid Ratul led the mobile court, while Inspector Moniruzzaman Sheikh served as prosecutor.

Assistant Director Mahfuzur Rahman of the Gopalganj district office stated that the operation was carried out under the Brick Manufacturing and Brick Kiln Establishment (Control) Act, 2013, amended in 2019, for various violations. During the drive, electricity connections were disconnected, and the kilns were dismantled using excavators to stop production. The Gopalganj district police, Ansar force, and Fire Service assisted in the operation.

Officials said such drives will continue in the district to control air pollution and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

A mobile court in Shariatpur Sadar upazila conducted an operation on Tuesday afternoon against an illegal brick kiln that had continued operations despite multiple administrative notices. The court, led by Executive Magistrate Tushar Saha, dismantled part of the chimney of Messrs. Howlader Bricks in Shaulpur area and imposed a fine of one lakh taka on the owner under the Brick Manufacturing and Kiln Establishment (Control) Act.

According to the Department of Environment, the kiln had been ordered to shut down in February 2023 for lacking legal approval, but the owner ignored the directive. The site was also found to be only 250 meters from a primary school, violating the rule that prohibits brick kilns within one kilometer of such institutions. Officials said the action was taken to reduce environmental and public health risks.

Assistant Director of the Department of Environment, Russell Noman, stated that similar drives against illegal brick kilns will continue in line with High Court directives. Local residents expressed relief, citing long-standing smoke and pollution problems caused by the kiln.

Widespread allegations of irregularities, corruption, and fund misappropriation have surfaced in a canal excavation project under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) in Rajapur upazila of Jhalakathi. Farmers from Tulatala and Angaria villages claim that the excavation of the Rarhibari canal was carried out superficially, ignoring government guidelines and resulting in misuse of allocated funds. The project, which includes 13 canal excavations and 3 embankment constructions with a total budget of Tk 36.5 million, allocated about Tk 5.245 million for the two canals in question.

Local farmers allege that instead of proper dredging, only minimal silt was removed, turning the canal into a narrow trench. They also reported that numerous fruit and forest trees were cut down, and the steep excavation of the banks risks collapse. Farmers say they have lost trees and will not benefit from irrigation or fish farming as expected.

In response, the canal excavation association’s president and the Rajapur Upazila Engineer denied the allegations, asserting that all work followed official schedules and was properly supervised.

Member of Parliament Rumin Farhana criticized the government in the National Parliament for borrowing Tk 44,500 crore within just 52 days of assuming power. Speaking during a supplementary question session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed on April 21, she highlighted that the government had already exceeded its bank borrowing target for the fiscal year. The budget had set a target of Tk 1.04 trillion, but by early April, borrowing had reached Tk 1.12761 trillion, surpassing the target by 108 percent.

Citing a Bangladesh Bank report, Rumin Farhana noted that revenue collection was about Tk 7,500 crore short of the target, forcing the government to rely heavily on bank loans. She questioned whether the government had any concrete plans to expand the tax base or increase revenue collection.

In response, the finance minister said the large borrowing figure was a carryover from the previous administration’s liabilities, not the result of the current government’s actions. He assured Parliament that the government’s policy is to gradually reduce domestic bank borrowing, with visible results expected in the next budget.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir stated that the government will not tolerate any artificial crisis or manipulation in the market. He made the remarks on Tuesday after a meeting of the task force committee on commodity prices and market conditions at the Ministry of Commerce conference room. The minister emphasized that no group or individual can hold the market hostage in a country of 180 million people.

He explained that global conditions, particularly conflicts in the Middle East, have created pressure on energy and supply chains, but the government is closely monitoring the situation and import levels remain stable. Responding to questions about soybean oil supply, he said that while bottled oil supply has slightly decreased, loose oil remains sufficient. The government is aware of any overpricing beyond fixed rates and will take necessary action.

Muktadir urged traders not to influence the market through speculation and to set prices based on the real impact of fuel costs. He called on all stakeholders to trust the government as it works toward a permanent pricing system to ensure long-term market stability.

Theatre and cultural figures in Bangladesh have alleged that the country’s art scene is facing stagnation due to low-quality content and ongoing political instability. The concerns were voiced on Sunday morning at a seminar titled “Our Culture and the Artist’s Responsibility,” held at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka. The event was part of a daylong celebration marking actor, director, and filmmaker Tauquir Ahmed’s 60th birthday.

At the seminar, veteran theatre personality Mamunur Rashid said that the rise of view-based commercialism has harmed the creative industry, leaving artists demotivated and unable to produce quality work. He also lamented that Bangladeshi artists still lack the freedom of expression enjoyed by their counterparts in neighboring and developed countries. Rashid praised Tauquir Ahmed and his contemporaries for their perseverance despite these challenges.

Other speakers included Abul Hayat, Afzal Hossain, Azizul Hakim, Mir Sabbir, and Deepa Khandakar. The program also featured screenings and writings on Tauquir Ahmed’s films, stage plays, and television works, followed by a performance of his stage play “Tirthajatri.”

National Citizen Party (NCP) lawmaker Akhtar Hossain has demanded that the government reduce the recently increased prices of fuel oil and LPG gas, saying the sudden hike has negatively affected people's livelihoods. Speaking in parliament on Tuesday under an urgent public importance notice, he said the government had earlier stated it would not raise prices but did so anyway, and the extent of the increase was excessive.

Hossain noted that Bangladesh is facing an energy crisis amid a global conflict but alleged that some artificial factors may also be contributing to the domestic fuel shortage. He questioned what steps the government has taken to address these issues, saying such information remains unclear. He also warned that the rise in LPG prices would make cooking and production activities difficult for many.

The MP called on the government to identify hoarding and other failures in the energy supply chain and to bring fuel and LPG prices down to a tolerable level to restore relief in public life.

Bangladeshi short film 'Ali', directed by Adnan Al Rajib, has won the Diversity Award at the prestigious Filmfest Bremen 2026 in Germany. The award was announced on April 19 during the festival’s official ceremony in Bremen, recognizing the film’s creative portrayal of social realities and stories of marginalized communities. The director joined the event virtually to express gratitude, dedicating the achievement to his team and the people of Bangladesh.

Filmfest Bremen is one of Europe’s notable international film festivals. The Diversity Award honors films that creatively highlight themes of identity, diversity, and marginalized voices. 'Ali' had previously received a Special Mention in the Short Film category at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, drawing international attention.

Competing with films from various languages and cultures, 'Ali’s' success at Bremen reinforces its global appeal and demonstrates how a powerful story can transcend geographical boundaries.

A mobile court in Sunamganj’s Dowarabazar upazila fined a businessman for selling fuel at prices higher than the government-fixed rate. The operation took place on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in the Banglabazar area. The court, led by Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Arup Ratan Singh, imposed a cash fine of 25,000 taka on Abdul Matin, owner of Arif Fuel Supply and joint convener of the local Volunteer Party unit.

According to court sources, consumers had recently complained that the shop was charging excessive prices for fuel. A surprise inspection confirmed the allegations, leading to the fine under Section 40 of the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009. This was the first penalty imposed on the business for such an offense.

Executive Magistrate Arup Ratan Singh stated that the administration remains firm on stabilizing prices of essential goods and fuel. He warned that any trader creating artificial shortages or overcharging consumers would face legal action, adding that such drives would continue regularly in the public interest.

The British American Resource Center has announced a job circular to recruit two Product Development Managers. Applications will remain open until May 15, 2026. Selected candidates will receive a monthly salary of 35,000 taka along with benefits as per the organization’s policy. The positions are full-time and based in Uttara Sector 11, Dhaka.

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree and have at least two years of relevant experience. Both male and female candidates aged 22 or above are eligible to apply. The job offers various benefits including travel allowance, mobile bill, performance bonus, profit share, annual increment, lunch facilities, and two festival bonuses per year.

Interested candidates can apply online through the provided link before the deadline. The announcement highlights the organization’s effort to attract qualified professionals for its product development team.

An endangered fishing cat was beaten to death and hung from an electric pole in Musapur Union of Sandwip upazila, Chattogram. The incident occurred on Tuesday in the Bashiria residential area after the animal was trapped overnight in a chicken farm owned by a local resident. Following the killing, locals tied the dead animal to a roadside electric pillar, drawing crowds of onlookers the next morning.

Environmental advocates said the destruction of natural habitats and food shortages often drive these animals into human settlements. They noted that fishing cats help farmers by preying on rats and snakes, and their killing poses a serious threat to ecological balance. Under the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act 2012, the fishing cat is a protected species, and killing it is a non-bailable offense punishable by up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to one million taka.

Officials from the Coastal Forest Department’s Sandwip Range confirmed that a team was dispatched to the site to collect evidence. They stated that legal action will be taken against those responsible following investigation.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury told Parliament on April 21, 2026, that there is no possibility of any deal between the government and S Alam Group. Responding to a question from MP Hasnat Abdullah, he said the BNP-led government has no scope for compromise in economic matters. The minister confirmed that lawsuits have been filed against those who defaulted on bank loans and that recovery processes are ongoing through both government-to-government and private recovery firms.

He further stated that cases have been filed to recover assets allegedly laundered abroad by S Alam and Beximco groups, with Mutual Legal Assistance Requests sent to several countries. Courts have ordered the seizure of domestic and foreign assets linked to S Alam Group, including bank accounts, shares, and real estate. The minister described the recovery of laundered funds as a complex and lengthy legal process but assured that all possible legal measures are being pursued.

Chowdhury also said amendments to the Bank Resolution Act have opened a new window for investment but not for defaulters to return easily, reaffirming that the government does not support any individual patronage in the economy.

Irrigation for the Irri-Boro rice season in Neserabad upazila of Pirojpur has been severely disrupted due to a shortage of diesel, leaving farmers deeply worried about possible crop failure. Around 3,000 hectares of paddy fields are affected as irrigation machines remain idle without fuel. The lack of water is causing rice plants to wilt and increasing the risk of empty grains, threatening the expected yield.

Farmers report that diesel is either unavailable in the market or being sold at high prices, forcing many to abandon their fields or irrigate on a limited scale. Some have taken loans for cultivation and now fear financial losses if the crops fail. Local farmer Khalek Bepari expressed frustration over the absence of government assurance on fuel supply, while another farmer, Afsar Ali, said he would struggle to repay his debts if the harvest is lost.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Mahfuzur Rahman confirmed that the diesel crisis has had a negative impact and warned of large-scale crop damage unless fuel supply is restored soon.